Outline plans for 45 homes in Amersham get nearly 60 objections

Hawridge Strategic Land has applied for outline planning permission, with all matters reserved except for the principal means of access to the public highway.

The proposal is for the erection of up to 45 homes, including affordable housing, public open space, hard and soft landscaping, and a new access road onto Whielden Street.

The only matter for detailed consideration is therefore the proposed new access off Whielden Street.

Cllr Kelly Thornton and Dominic Pinkney have called the application in to be decided by the East & South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee on Tuesday, June 16.

Cllr Thornton said: “Cllr Pinkney and I would like to inform Buckinghamshire Council that we are recommending that this application be refused.

“This development would significantly and irreversibly damage the heritage of Amersham Old Town including its character and archaeological significance.

“It is not in-keeping with the character and design of the Old Town. There have been reports of historic remains in the area so we recommend that an archaeological assessment and investigation should be carried out.”

She also raised concerns about traffic, saying it would “significantly increase” as a result of the development.

“The design proposal will impede on access to Amersham Hospital which will further increase congestion in the area as well as cause a loss of parking spaces for both residents and paying visitors,” Cllr Thornton added.

“The site is a known hotspot for wildlife such as bats and deer. The site also contains rare orchids such as bee orchids.

“Residents have noted how frequently rare plants and an array of wildlife are spotted on the site and this development threatens their natural habitat and the surrounding ecosystems.”

Cllr Thornton said the development would cause “significant and irreversible harm to the biodiversity” of the area.

She also raised concerns about overlooking of surrounding homes, as well as drainage and flood risk.

Cllr Pinkney added: “This development would significantly overlook the properties surrounding it, this would include but is not limited to the properties situated on Whielden Green.

“The elevation of the development will cause drainage and surface water run off issues which will impact both the residents of the new development and the owners/occupiers of surrounding properties.”

Amersham Town Council has also recommended that the application be refused.

The plans are recommended to be deferred and delegated to the director of planning and environment for approval, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The meeting will be held in the High Wycombe Council Chamber on Queen Victoria Road at 6.30pm.